"Pfft!"
Bang spat out the tea in his mouth, looking at King with a face full of astonishment.
"What did you say? Seeking apprenticeship?"
"Uh... accurately speaking, I want you to teach Mumen Rider." King said.
"Mumen Rider?"
Bang's gaze drifted toward Mumen Rider who was standing to the side. He seemed to understand something, though he was still puzzled as to why King wanted to help him.
"Why don't you teach him yourself? Wouldn't it be more appropriate for you to take him as your disciple?" Bang asked.
"I have my own reasons, and my path is not suitable for him." King explained awkwardly.
He couldn't exactly say that all his strength came from a system.
"I see, I understand. Because you are too powerful, you cannot teach him personally."
Bang came to a sudden realization.
Recalling King's performance during the crusade against the Monster Association, he understood that such a level was definitely not something an ordinary person could reach.
"There is one more thing. Regarding the matter of retirement, are you serious?" King looked serious.
Currently, the Hero Association was in dire straits, and the departure of an S-Class Hero like Bang would definitely be adding insult to injury.
"King, are you representing the Hero Association?"
Bang's expression was calm, but he was somewhat confused about King's intentions.
The man known as the strongest man on Earth, who had always been a lone wolf, had actually started cultivating a hero like Mumen Rider.
Although Mumen Rider's reputation among the public was indeed very high, his strength was too poor. He didn't understand why King would choose him.
Furthermore, Bang had already informed the Hero Association of his intention to retire at the first opportunity. Now that King had personally come to inquire, it seemed the current situation of the Hero Association was indeed not optimistic.
"No, I am just asking in a personal capacity."
King shook his head.
In fact, he had roughly guessed Bang's thoughts and only wanted to confirm them personally.
"There is no harm in telling you. I am of advanced age, it is time to make way for the younger generation. I also bear responsibility for the monster invasion of the Hero Association headquarters this time." Bang sighed.
He thought King was blaming him for not providing timely reinforcements.
However, Bang couldn't be blamed for this. After all, his dojo was located on a mountain in a remote location. Furthermore, he had recently been taking Garou around to visit and apologize, so he hadn't received the news of the Association's attack immediately.
"I don't mean to blame you, but after you leave, your position will become vacant." King said.
"I have already reported this to Sitch. After retirement, I will have Silver Fang II take over my position." Bang spoke cryptically, while also observing King's expression.
After all, Garou's identity was currently not accepted by everyone, so this matter was still in a pending stage.
Sitch was the first to acknowledge Garou's identity. In the face of the crisis of human extinction, he wanted to integrate all the power that could be utilized.
"Garou?" King pointed it out directly.
What he intended to do next was closely related to Garou, and before that, he needed to obtain Bang's consent.
"King's, I know that the heroes in the Association are very resistant to Garou. But he is my disciple. I will lead him onto the right path, and the Hero Association also needs his strength."
Bang became cautious. He felt that King's visit this time was not just to entrust Mumen Rider to him.
'As expected, is it still unacceptable? And it just has to be King. Against him, I have no possibility of winning.'
Bang's mind raced, simulating a battle scene with King in his head. But thinking of the other party's heroic figure during the crusade against the Monster Association, he knew that before this man, he had zero chance of winning.
"I understand what you mean. Under the current situation, his strength is indeed needed. So, handing Garou over to me is the only way to maximize his potential." King stated his purpose.
Bang's gaze instantly became sharp. "I'm afraid I cannot agree to that. Garou is doing quite well here. If you want to take him away, you'll have to get past me first."
No matter how powerful the opponent was, he would fight at all costs for his disciple.
Thump! Thump!
The deafening King Engine resounded throughout the room.
Mumen Rider was startled by the display. "Bang-san, King-san, let's talk this out properly..."
"There is a wide open space in the back, we can go there." Bang saw King's determination and sighed helplessly.
"Fine."
King knew that further talk was useless.
—
In the empty wilderness, King and Bang stood facing each other, a scene that felt somewhat familiar.
"King, let me make this clear. Even if I have to stake my life, I will not let you take Garou away."
Bang was now certain that King had come to take Garou's life, so he was already prepared to die.
"Bang-san..."
Mumen Rider didn't know what to do at this moment. He knew that no matter how strong Bang was, he had no chance of winning against King.
"Oh? Isn't this Mumen Rider?"
At this moment, a voice sounded from behind.
Mumen Rider turned around and saw a familiar face. "Garou..."
Mumen Rider still remembered the scene when they first met, where he was brutally beaten by the other party.
"That's King, right? I noticed the moment you entered the dojo." Garou's gaze was solemn.
He knew that even though he had already turned over a new leaf, the heroes wouldn't let him off so easily. If it were other heroes, they might turn a blind eye for Bang's sake, but the one who had come this time was that man.
"You had better avoid this for now. King-san won't do anything to Bang-san." Mumen Rider advised.
After witnessing King's sparring matches with Genos and Atomic Samurai, he knew that the other party was not a bloodthirsty person. At most, he would defeat Bang, he would definitely not harm him. But if Garou appeared, things might be different.
"Don't be silly. I should naturally bear the consequences of the mistakes I made myself. I can't keep letting that old man stand in front of me."
A look of reminiscence appeared in Garou's eyes. Since the end of the Monster Association crusade, the Divine Power in his body had dissipated. He had also broken out of his Monsterization, miraculously restoring his human body.
Later, Bang found him at the place where he had always practiced. Since then, the master and disciple had embarked on a journey of atonement.
In fact, regarding Bang's recommendation for him to become Silver Fang II, although Garou acted like he didn't care on the surface, he was very much in agreement in his heart.
For the sake of the heroes he had harmed for no reason, and to carry out his own martial arts path, he was willing to start a new life as a hero.
Thinking of this, Garou's gaze became firm. Now was the time for his atonement.
However, when passing by Mumen Rider, his figure still paused for a moment.
"By the way, Mumen Rider, I'm very sorry for beating you so badly back then."